Chennai : In order to attract passengers during the lean season, Air India Express, the subsidiary of Air India, has drastically slashed its fares on the Chennai-Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) route, said an official. "Effective from Thursday, the all inclusive Chennai-Trichy fare is Rs.1,199 while the Trichy-Chennai fare is Rs.1,325.

The latter is higher owing to the airport development fees levied by the Airport Authority of India," an Air India official told IANS. He said the old fare was around Rs.5,000 and the fares charged by private competition are around Rs.4,000. Trichy is around 320 km from here.

"Air India Express operates nine flights on the Chennai-Trichy route in a week and has an occupancy of around 80 percent. As it is lean season now, we have reduced the fares," the official said.